AEK Athens 2-3 Real Madrid: Valverde's stoppage-time strike keeps Mourinho's side perfect

Real Madrid needed a moment of individual brilliance to escape Athens with their perfect Champions League record intact. Federico Valverde's long-range strike in the second minute of stoppage time secured a 3-2 win over AEK Athens on Wednesday, a game that kicked off at 1.45am Malaysia time on Thursday and saw Jose Mourinho's side fall behind twice.

AEK land the first blow

The hosts, with former Madrid striker Luka Jovic in their starting line-up, went ahead on 12 minutes. Jovic laid the ball off to Aboubakary Koita, who cut inside past Marc Cucurella and beat Thibaut Courtois.

Madrid replied before the half-hour was out. Jude Bellingham levelled with a backheeled finish, and the goal made him the youngest player to score in seven consecutive Champions League seasons, aged 23 years and 128 days, a record previously held by teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Mourinho had rested Arda Guler and started Denzel Dumfries, and for long periods AEK's compact defending frustrated the visitors. Cucurella wasted a good chance to put Madrid ahead when he shot tamely at goalkeeper Lazaros Rota.

A late twist, then a late winner

AEK went back in front with 15 minutes left. Stavros Pilios, who had earlier made a goal-saving block to deny Mbappe, finished at the near post after a counter-attack started by Koita.

The lead did not last long. Within three minutes Dumfries supplied the pass and Mbappe equalised. Madrid kept pushing rather than settling for a point, and in the 92nd minute Valverde struck from distance to win it.

Mourinho said afterwards that his side "didn't settle" at 2-2 and kept going for the win. He also remarked that he knew Valverde could shoot from range, though he had not specifically told him to.

There was a sour ending for AEK: Koita, who had already been substituted, was shown a red card after the final whistle, with SuperSport reporting it was for dissent.

Where Madrid and AEK stand

The win keeps Madrid level with holders Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the 36-team league phase, both on 12 points from four games. SuperSport noted it was Madrid's seventh straight win in all competitions.

AEK, who pushed one of the competition's favourites all the way, remain on three points and sit 30th, outside the top 24 places that lead to the knockout rounds. With four matches left they still have time to climb, but they need points soon.

Next on the schedule

Madrid host PSV Eindhoven at the Bernabeu on Tuesday 24 November, while AEK travel to Italy to face Como, who are fresh from a 9-1 win at Lens. Both Matchday 5 games kick off at 9pm CET, which is 4am on Wednesday 25 November in Malaysia (MYT, UTC+8).

Key takeaways

• Real Madrid beat AEK Athens 3-2 in Athens, coming from behind twice.
• Bellingham, Mbappe and Valverde scored; Koita and Pilios scored for AEK.
• Bellingham became the youngest player to score in seven straight Champions League seasons.
• Madrid have 12 points from four games, level with PSG at the top.
• Madrid host PSV next, at 4am MYT on 25 November.

FAQ

Who scored the winner for Real Madrid against AEK Athens? Federico Valverde scored with a long-range shot in the 92nd minute to make it 3-2 on 4 November 2026.

What record did Jude Bellingham set? His equaliser made him the youngest player to score in seven successive Champions League seasons, at 23 years and 128 days, overtaking Kylian Mbappe.

When do Real Madrid play next in the Champions League? Real Madrid host PSV Eindhoven on 24 November at 9pm CET, which is 4am on 25 November in Malaysia.

Sources: SuperSport, Goal, MyJoyOnline, Yahoo Sports, UEFA